Tools for the Social Connection 113

 Chapter  Nine  

Tools for the Social Connection

Cultivating Steps to Freedom

ow that you have a general idea of the parole suitability hearing’s design, the administration of the proceedings as well who attends, what the Board expects of you and, most importantly how to format your own PRO-Plan résumé, it is now time to develop living skills for the social

connection. Having thrown out the VIPER (Vanity, ego, pride, ego, and rationale) in writing out your insights and remorse you may still have questions and are unsure of how in-depth you should go, exposing your past to people you have never met. Remember, developing your parole plans involves throwing your VIPER out the window and telling the story of your life as only you know it. Because it is your story you should have confidence in presenting it because you’re the one who has lived it. Nevertheless, merely telling the story of your life is not enough to regain your lost freedoms – you are going to have dig deeper into your heart and further address the demons that contributed to your underlying behaviors that ultimately led to committing the life crime – especially if alcohol, drugs, or some other addiction was the reason why the crime occurred. In addressing the demons of substance abuse, for many men and women who are serving indeterminate prison terms, the life crime was the culmination of years of drug and alcohol abuse. If this applies to you, it becomes important to become involved in and work a 12 Step substance abuse program. The importance of working a 12 Step program is because sobriety is different from mere abstinence. Sobriety is more than just no longer using drugs or alcohol. Sobriety is a daily plan of action to keep you clean in body, spirit and mind. It means an active program of recovery because relapse is not an accident. There are a number of 12 Step programs that deal with working on your defects of character. Whatever 12 Step program you decide to become involved in, it is important to understand that the hearing panel is not interested in your capability to merely recite the 12 Steps – rather, the hearing panel want’s to be reassured that he/she is able to actually discuss how the steps work in their lives and how the defects of character are recognized in the crimes that were committed. For example, if you acted with cruelty and your actions created victims, then you are going to have to show the hearing panel that you have truly been working the steps to atone for your actions and make amends for the harm you caused.

Key Point to Consider: A good strategy is to further prepare for anticipated and potential questions from the panel. If you are sincerely involved in the NA/AA program, you should be able to discuss the four primary texts (i.e., “Basic Text,” “just for Today,” “It Works How and Why,” and “NA/AA Working Guide” workbooks). These texts will be provided at no cost to the prisoner by writing to the NA World Services – 19737 Nordhoff Place, Chatsworth, CA 91311-6601 - Telephone No. (818) 773-9999. Note: Interested prisoners can write to request to be matched with an anonymous NA sponsor who will help the requesting person work the 12 Steps through correspondence. You can write to: Sponsorship Behind Walls/Southern California, c/o Southern California RSO, 1937 S. Myrtle Ave., Monrovia, CA 91016 USA

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Bridges to Freedom 114 For many of the parole candidates who suffer from addictions, compulsions, and recurring negative traits behavior, it is important that you are able to present to the hearing panel how you understand what it means to work the 12 Steps of your 12 Step program. Through out your lives, if you have suffered from addictions in one form or another, and you are now sincere about changing your life and becoming a pro-social contributing member of your community, then you have already begun the hardest journey on your path to becoming the new YOU! After all, this is why you are learning how to prepare for life by building life skills that will help you from making a choice to relapse into criminal behavior. But, like all things in life the challenge first has to come from your decision to want to stay out of prison. The simple truth is you were not born a criminal, addict, or alcoholic. Yet, often, we turn to these vices to help us cope with the hardships we have experienced in our lives, like in our early childhood that helped shape and motivate the person we have become in the present – sitting behind the walls of prison. There is an old adage about alcohol that illustrates this: Man takes a drink. Drink takes a drink. Drink takes a man. Applying this wise saying to the various forms of addiction, compulsion, and negative trait behaviors, one can internalize that at the root of all things unmanageable, lies pain.

“A Mindful Thought”

Silence and solitude are the marks of spiritual maturity. They can lead to peace and bliss. The spiritual life is an inner life. It cannot be attained on the outside. The spiritual life is its own reward and seeks nothing beyond itself. Once we achieve inner peace and conscious contact, we want to overflow. It is the mark of truth and love to move toward goodness and transcendence.”

John Bradshaw, “Healing the Shame that Binds You”

In preparing for the Board, other options for long term addicts include: obtaining a letter from a mental health professional who will indicate that he/she will provide you with substance abuse counseling on the outside; transitional housing with a 6-month-to-1-year commitment that includes daily individual and/or group therapy; an outside sponsor will provide accountability immediately upon release; a letter from other prisoners attesting to working the Steps together with you; and a drug and alcohol inventory detailing the exact time and quantities of your past drug consumption. This inventory will also identify the progressive nature of addiction, as well as identifying how a combination of drugs may have affected you. Affirm to the hearing panel that any residence offer from family members or loved ones comes from a residence that is drug and alcohol free. Further, the parole candidate might consider writing book reports (bibliography) relating specifically to substance abuse. The reports can be based on AA/NA literature or other recovery-related books, brochures, pamphlets and even drug/alcohol related substance abuse magazine articles. The reports should be one page in length with half of the text dedicated to what you read and the other half devoted to how it applies to your life (See sample book report below).

Key Point to Consider: When writing your PRO-Plan or book reports etc., a strategy to consider is to follow the ABC’s of basic and business writing: Accuracy, Brevity, and Clarity. Accuracy is vital to explaining yourself. Brevity is making your points by staying focused on the intended topic of discussion. When expressing your writing to the hearing panel, your oral presentation should not exceed more than 5 minutes. Your writing should be dramatic and attention-grabbing. Finally, Clarity is covering your topics in brief, wisely, and clearly when presenting them both in writing and speaking. After you have completed your writing, put it away for a day or two, and come back to it later. You will find errors, thoughts and words left out, etc... Have someone you trust look over your writing and provide criticism. The goal of your writing is to logically link your thoughts together so that your sentences flow naturally. Your purpose is to make sure that your

Tools for the Social Connection 115 writing SHOWS your cohesive unit of thought – you want to paint the picture and complete the circle.

Book Report “SITTING INSIDE”

Buddhist Practice in America’s Prisons Author: Kobai Scott Whitney

By James Leland DeBacco {08/12/13}

Author Scott Whitney, is a writer and magazine editor who along with his wife, Sita, took an interest in the spiritual possibilities for men and women who find themselves incarcerated in prisons throughout the United States. Recognized as the original founders of the Prison-Ashram Project in 1973, most prisoners and prison officials had never heard of yoga, meditation, or Buddhism. The project quickly became their life’s work and continues on today, with nearly half of their staff now former prisoners, having benefited from their practice of these ideas and disciplines while they were locked up.

Sitting Inside directly addresses the issue of empowering prisoners themselves, independent of external changes, however badly these are needed. This book focuses on our best hope for positive change lies, tragically, in the empowerment of individual prisoners to become deeper, more caring human beings despite the formidable odds against them. This book teaches the reader to open his/her heart and mind, whether Buddhist or not, and find within themselves the valuable insights and practices here for the cultivation of universal spiritual qualities that will help relieve suffering in any environment. The essence of the message being conveyed, is that we are truly all doing time, and all on the same journey. Understanding this is our best hope for the future.

Kobai Scott Whitney was a former drug addict who was given a six month sentence nearly 20 years ago for drug-related charges. His time incarcerated became the turning point for his history as a Buddhist. He writes that his days in prison presented many difficulties and not a few dangers. In addition to meditation and freedom from drugs and alcohol, he found that he enjoyed helping other inmates with their homework or with writing letters. In looking back, the author writes about how the simple combination of daily meditation, freedom from addiction, and pro-social or useful activities was a formula that helped him prosper spiritually and emotionally during a time in his life that could have been filled with anger anxiety, and bitterness. Years later, this three-part formula continues to be the mainstay of keeping his life together.

In reading this book, what I am able to take away from what the author writes about, is that inmates

who want to change their lives and find peace are usually on their own. If personal change is to happen, it will be in spite of the prison environment. Prisons are places of great suffering, violence, noise, hatred, and-every so often- friendship, laughter, and kindness. I accept that although not entirely unlike the outside world, life in prison is more negative, intense, and unyielding than life outside. Although meditation, compassion, and precept practice have helped me and many others get through our prison lives, these are not some “chicken soup” cure that will soothe every mental wound and pacify every emotional storm. The truth is, because I am in prison, everything is not alright. And, meditation itself is difficult at times. Like the author, my experience with Buddhist practice is mostly within the Zen and vipassana traditions of North America. Zen is a Japanese word derived from the Chinese word “Ch’an,” which refers to focused, sitting meditation. Vipassana, sometimes called “insight meditation,” has become a daily practice for me. At the core of my Buddhist practice, I sit still and observe my own mind. In doing so, I am able to experience a deeper sense of pain, suffering, and feelings of injury I hold within myself. With this insight, I have openly accepted that practicing Buddhism in prison, and within my marriage, is an act of bravery, not an act of escape; it truly means I am committed to taking up the life of a Buddhist Shambahala (Peaceful Warrior).

Bridges to Freedom 116 The APTITUDE Outline One of the problems I discovered with working and writing my own PRO-Plan résumé was my ineffectiveness in how I actually intended to put my plan into action. The formula I came up with is called the APTITUDE Outline. The APTITUDE Outline represents measurable goals I feel all parole candidates can accomplish to achieve a successful parole by implementing a simple plan of action that encourages developing life skills by promoting personal and social growth – APTITIDUE being the key element to becoming successful on parole. Assess self and establish a personal relationship with family, friends, and community

Prioritize PRO-Plan vision, commitment, and determination

Target and identify potential barriers to relapse prevention

Integrate rehabilitation model with strategies for PRO-Plan success

Trust in self-awareness to defeat potential barriers and anticipated obstacles

Undertake personal commitment to achieving parole success

Deliver on personal goals to acquire social independence and acceptance

Evaluate, focus, and energize the promotion of rehabilitation organization

The purpose of the APTITUDE Outline is to define your key actions during the first six (6) months

to one (1) year of parole. Developing the APTITUDE Outline will provide the parole candidate with an action map to show the hearing panel exactly how he/she intends on putting their PRO-Plan into effect. Show how your individual parole board résumé can be put into action. Keep in mind that your descriptive written plan can be diminished by the mere lack of a readiness strategy. The focus your readiness strategy should be to:

1. Reconnect with yourself: Describe key actions demonstrating a reconnection with

the self. (Example: giving up drugs/alcohol; replace with spirituality or engaging more in sports, self-help classes). Focus on your rehabilitation success by identifying, recognizing and targeting primary concerns that will affect a positive reconnection with you. Follow this strategy by listing your own ideas that will help you to understand the priority of developing balance with yourself.

2. Reconnect with family: In this key action, the parole candidate focuses on strategies to building trust. Listing the ways a parole candidate can reconnect with/her family is important.

3. Reconnect with society: The hearing panel will want to see your key action plan demonstrating you can reintegrate into a social network. You will need to have your own idea on how to accomplish you reintegration back into a mainstream community environment (reconnect by calling/writing old friends who will not influence possible relapse, etc.

By implementing the APTITUDE Outline, the parole candidate will show the hearing panel a

viable key action plan to live, work, and interact responsibly with members of the community in efforts to meet parole expectations, your PRO-Plan objective, and achieving a certificate of parole/rehabilitation.

Cycle of Change

In the evolution of time, change is the one variable to be constant, because change over time is constant. Each breath we take starts a new beginning. Each exhale we expel, takes us into the future. Life acts in the same way. The parole candidate needs to be open minded and prepared to discuss how he/she will adjust as time changes. There will always be changes in life affecting the greatest of plans. Being

Tools for the Social Connection 117 flexible in your thinking will allow for greater opportunities to being successful on parole. Developing any parole plan is only reasonable and effective if the parole candidate accepts there must be flexible thinking attached to the plans of parole and rehabilitation. As needed, it will become necessary to update, modify, and/or revise anticipated parole plans during the period of parole. Adapting to time requires an equal adaptation to each moment in life. The only thing we can be sure of is being in the moment – But, even being “in the moment” comes to an end. Logically, I am not disillusioned to the fact that even in the best of circumstances, being paroled after serving a life term sentence, will pose stressful conditions not only on myself, but for my loved ones as well. Keeping this in mind, it becomes imperative to your parole plans that you must be able to express beyond a bare minimum, warning signs that might send you into a criminal relapse and how you intend to address the problems when they do arise – because they will. The way I see it, we need the tools of restraint to keep us grounded. Learning how to trust in yourself will allow others to believe too, that they can trust in you. Allow your actions to speak for themselves. And, in turn, embrace the opportunity and privilege of believing in YOU. If you produce evidence that you believe in yourself – just maybe, the hearing panel will believe in you too.

Key Point to Consider: Overall, your PRO-Plan, and general substance abuse relapse prevention strategy are only one key to the overall life skills development for the Board. A good idea is to also work with someone more knowledgeable to delineate a specific relapse prevention plan, replete with listing of triggers, or high risk factors/situations, and plan on how to avoid those emergency extrication tactics and proactive strategies to engage with the non-using, supportive, or AA/NA community.

In developing your life skills for relapse prevention, another strategy would be to carry with you in your wallet or purse, a Relapse Warning Card. The Relapse Warning Card can be used to help the parole candidate recognize when a potential relapse may occur and how to apply the like skills learned that keeps you from acting on those shortcomings that might lead to triggering a relapse. Using the sample format below, will help you show your strategy to the hearing panel and support how you intend to overcome the urges, impulses, or thoughts that might arise when you find yourself faced with the challenges of living free.

FRONT SIDE OF CARD Relapse Warning Card

When I get a strong urge, thought, or impulse to commit a criminal offense, I will sit down and carefully read over the following:

1. A fantasy, thought, or impulse to commit a crime is not unusual. It doesn’t mean I have lost control or failed.

And, it doesn’t mean I have to relapse. 2. If I feel scared or guilty about my criminal fantasy, thought, and/or impulse, I will remind myself that I have

the power over them. I don’t have to give into them. I have other choices. I have options that can satisfy my needs besides relapsing.

3. I will think of this as a learning experience. I will look at my life and try to figure out what has led up to the fantasy, thought, or impulse. I will try to figure out what need I am trying to satisfy, and I will brainstorm all the other positive, non-harmful ways I can meet my needs.

4. I will review my relapse warning card regularly on a daily basis, to prevent and stop behavior associated with the warning signs of relapse.

5. If I am still having trouble, I will think about who I can call to talk to. I will look at the phone numbers of these resources on the other side of this card and call until I can talk to one of them about my relapse warning signs.

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BACK SIDE OF CARD Names of People I Can Contact If I Feel the Urge to Relapse

Name and phone number of a friend:

Name and phone number of counselor:

Name and phone number of sponsor:

Name and phone number of parole agent:

Crisis hotline phone number:

Above all, I will remind myself that I am in control. A fantasy, thought, or urge does not make me a criminal

I am in control. This urge will pass.

Living Today, Better Than I Did Yesterday Planning for community reentry is the most important factor assuring success, but it does not come easy to face the challenges of society from a prison cell. Your PRO-Plan should describe your understanding of the difficulties of returning back to society. As a parole candidate, you have an obligation to show the hearing panel that you understand the challenges you will face when leaving prison. Having this awareness, you should be prepared to show how you intend to live today, better than the day before once paroled. The way to do this is to show the hearing panel that success in the community is accomplished by resolving potential barriers. It is important to show how planning for community reentry will involve describing in detail the steps you have taken in preparation of potential drawbacks and what your plans are to counter these roadblocks to success. Often, the most difficult challenge for the parole candidate preparing for the suitability hearing, who has no visible family or general support, is to find a place to live, food, & other services in his/her release area. Hopefully, the below strategies will be helpful. Many suburban areas have missions (religious based shelters) offering meals during the day and shelter at night. The local Department of Social Services may have listings for emergency housing. A parole candidate needing emergency housing should try to contact the closest office in the area he/she intends to parole to. The Salvation Army also may have services available (live-in programs for men/emergency housing for women and families). Live-in drug treatment programs can also be found in some areas. You may also want to check with your regional parole office. Some parole offices work with local boarding houses, hotels, or other short-term housing facilities. The Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) may have shelter for single men. The Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) may have shelter for single women with children. You will list these resources and keep them in the Appendix with addresses, phone numbers and contact person names. Another potential resource is a local church or minister who might help you access available programs. Often, a good resource is the parole office in the area you intend to reside. They will also help you with the process of registering with the police or sheriff, if this applies to you. Men and Women, who served in the armed forces, can check with the local Department of Veteran’s Affairs (VA) office to access benefits like job training, health care, drug/alcohol treatment, services for counseling or post-trauma assistance, and Veterans housing benefits, etc... There may be local groups or individuals providing food and clothing and job-seeking assistance. Keep in mind that all VA centers will also have VA representatives on hand that will be available to assist the veteran with VA enrollment (1010 EZ Form) for collection of any benefits owed or due. For example, military veterans who

Tools for the Social Connection 119 have been discharged with anything other than a Dishonorable Discharge – may qualify for limited benefits, even if the separation from the branch of service resulted in an Other than Honorable or Bad Conduct Discharge). All veteran parole candidates should take advantage of contacting their local VA office to find out if he/she qualifies for benefits. The hearing panel will give weight to those parole candidates who have given their blood, sweat and tears in honor of serving in military uniform. The hearing panel looks favorable on any VA assistance that may be available when reviewing a veteran’s parole plans. Hope Lives in Finding a Job As mentioned earlier, showing the hearing panel you have a verifiable offer of employment is important because absence of such an offer usually is an insurmountable stumbling block to receiving a parole date. As a matter of course, each parole candidate will have to decide how best to describe their efforts with finding employment upon release. For my own research, I found it difficult obtaining an official letter of employment intent because of the current economic situation nationwide. I took a different approach and decided I would personally write an inquiry letter (communication before actual request) to potential employers. I expressed my understanding of the current job market recession and its affect on a company’s inability to promise me employment, but the inquiry asked the representative of the company to, at least, acknowledge that once I was paroled they would be in a better position to assist me with securing employment in their company – at the least, provide me with an interview.

Key Thought to Consider: If you send an inquiry letter, ensure you have a named individual who is currently employed in that company/organization to send your letter to. Have a friend or family member contact the company or hit their website where Personnel or other appropriate members of staff are listed. You cannot send a inquiry letter in care of “PERSONNEL” and hope it lands with an interested employee – you must communicate with a known person working in the company. Find someone to generate a well-planned letter that contains no errors or misspellings and is addressed and formatted correctly (See instructions on how to prepare a standard business letter, below).

When writing your PRO-Plan, be sure to identify the job position, how many hours a week you will work, what your rate of pay will be, and the period of your time and salary will increase at the identified position. Include the anticipated job duties. Use your experience in the criminal justice process to show your growth in the development of your values, actions and dignity. If you are unable to readily find a potential employer to provide a letter of employment or job training acceptance, most urban areas have an Employment Development Department (EDD) office where assistance can be provided. These offices have specialists you can contact and request information on your job search.

Note: Keep copies of your letters to any place you contact, and any answers you receive to verify your attempts to get leads, or find a job. Another resource is the Department of Rehabilitation office in your local community. In larger urban areas, these offices will have specialists in handling parolees. Again, writing them could prove valuable in developing your Plans “A,” “B,” and “C.”

A further resource for employment leads is the old standby: Help Wanted ads in the newspaper or internet. It does not hurt to write a potential employer advertising in the newspaper. Explain your situation and ask for background of the company and your interest in potential employment. Again, their written responses to you can be used in your Appendix as part of your efforts in finding a job. Keep in mind that most Help Wanted ads now have e-mail addresses – not actual street addresses. An outside-the-prison resource is needed to e-mail your contact with those companies. Additional resource might be to contact your network of friends and relatives to locate job opportunities. A friend who recently paroled may obtain

Bridges to Freedom 120 work after release and you can tap into that resource as a potential lead. Write and find out. If you are unsure if you are eligible for job assistance, a good resource is to contact the Department of Social Services in the area you intend to parole. Also, you can write to your regional parole office to learn if they have job assistance, training, or related resources in their area of jurisdiction. This is now more accessible with the changes in realignment, making it possible for life prisoners to seek out benefits by participating in long term offender programs provided by the Division of Adult Parole Operations (DAPO).

Finding employment and/or having a suitable job offer is best supported with the ability to show the

hearing panel you have 1) written out a job résumé, 2) obtained or have information on how to obtain your Social Security card, 3) obtained or have information on how to obtain an ID/Driver’s License card, and 4) obtained or have the resources to provide a copy of your Birth Certificate in conjunction with your job offer(s). By doing this, you are sending a message to the hearing panel that you are organized and ready to become a contributing member of society once paroled. Without a doubt, the hearing panel will likely view your organizational skills favorably. If you need to obtain a copy of your Birth Certificate, this can be accomplished by writing to your local County Recorders Office, in the County of where you were born. There is a nominal fee for copies of all records obtained.

The Record’s Bank

The task of writing your PRO-Plan requires organization. To mange records when organizing your files, it is a good idea to keep a “records bank.” The records bank includes keeping a daily journal and a separate record of your self-initiated correspondence. If you mail out a letter to a potential employer, write down Name of Contact; Name of Company or Program Service; Contact Person Responding; Date of Contact; and Follow Up. Use your daily journal, and record your efforts in your Job Contact/Rehabilitation Record Sheet. (See sample below) The purpose behind keeping your records is to preserve documentation of your attempts to secure resources and employment. You will find it much easier in the long run to have all your correspondence recorded and banked for easy reference. Date all correspondence you send out, and place the date you receive letters back by marking the letter itself and/or envelope (keep the envelope too, as added verification your return communications are genuine). It goes without saying, but I will say it anyway, DO NOT fake any of your correspondence or contacts – the hearing panel may just make a few calls or send out e-mail for verification of your documents. Your sincerity in your rehabilitative efforts is shown by the quality of your work.

Contributions to Society

In writing the PRO-Plan, it is important to understand that the only two requirements for parole plans are: 1) have realistic plans for release, and 2) have marketable skills. Essentially, nothing else is required, but the categories outlined in this chapter (and throughout the text) add to your arsenal of strategies to convince the hearing panel you are suitable for parole. Aside from the résumé I mentioned, there are other things you might consider to strengthen the picture you want the hearing panel to see. Namely, how do you intend on making your contributions to society? In other words, how do you plan on showing responsibility? Presenting an itemized expense sheet, projecting potential income and having an understanding of managing money once paroled, is a responsible way to show the hearing panel that you have taken the time to research the financial trends that fluctuate periodically and have given considerable thought to “how you intend on becoming a responsible citizen once paroled into the community.”

Tools for the Social Connection 121

Residential Re-entry Housing -Anticipated Monthly Budget Plan Projected Monthly Income: $1,280.00*

Parole Applicant: [NAME]

Initial Re-entry Expenses Expenses Total Clothing $250 (Thrift Store Purchase 1x per. 6 month period) DMV/Identification $10 (discount for parolee) Therapy/Counseling Included with On-Site Residential Re-entry Housing Auto Registration N/A for the first 6 months of parole (unless purchase occurs sooner than

anticipated) Total: $260.00 Monthly Cycle Expenses Mortgage/Rent Included with On-Site Residential Re-entry Housing Utilities: Included with On-Site Residential Re-entry Housing Electric/Gas/Water Included with On-Site Residential Re-entry Housing Waste/Recycling Included with On-Site Residential Re-entry Housing Smartphone/Internet $50 (Boost Mobile – Unlimited Plan) Auto Payment $30 1x per. Month for Public Transportation (Bus/Train/Family) during 3-6

months while saving for a vehicle. Auto Insurance N/A for the first 6 months of parole Gas/Traveling N/A for the first 6 months of parole Entertainment $20-$50 Food Included with On-Site Residential Re-entry Housing Total: $130.00 Incidental Expenses Medical/Dental Health Net. HMO (Spouse Benefit) Clothing Replacement $150 or as needed to replace work clothes and worn/torn clothes Auto Service Maintenance N/A for the first 6 months of parole Self-Maintenance $50 (toiletries, grooming, laundry, etc.) Other (Walk Around Money) $25 per week (following employment success) Total: $225.00 Job Training/Certification Expenses Total: Included with On-Site Residential Re-entry Housing College Tuition Expenses Distance Learning (On-Line) Note: Tuition expenses will vary depending on living factors. $1300 (6

Units per Semester at Ohio University). Tuition will be available from Joint Marital IRS Tax Return.

Savings Account: Car/House/Misc. Open with $200.00 first month startup with addition of $100-150 every

paycheck period. (Min. $400 per month each following month) Emergency Expenses: $100.00 Minimum in Cash Debit Card (e.g., MasterCard/Visa, etc.) Grand Total Projected: $1235.00

Note: Anticipated earnings are based on gross pay. Net earnings will dictate changes in the monthly budget based on the State of California’s Minimum wage earning pay scale of $8.25 an hour and cost of adjusted living expenses.

Bridges to Freedom 122 Key Thought to Consider: If you are preparing your PRO-Plan on your own, finding a transitional house to accept you will be difficult. To help you reach this goal I have included the contact information for the “Intervention America” website. This is a very good site for anyone looking to make a connection with a sober living home or transitional house in their perspective community/area of intended parole. Intervention America will provide a National Resource on Recovery directory, upon which you can write to the listed contact addresses for information on sober living homes and transitional housing support. Life Support Alliance is also a good resource for available State-funded and private BPH approved sober living and transitional housing programs.

“Interventions America”

http://soberliving.interventionamerica.or

Note: Every County in California has a Department of Rehabilitation Services program that helps people with disabilities find and keep jobs. Apply for these services immediately when planning for release. Look in the phone book blue pages (or internet) under Department of Vocational Rehabilitation or search the internet for Vocational Rehabilitation in your County/State. California has 58 diverse counties each having some resources available to help you at the time of release. Be sure to check for Veteran Services Offices (if applicable), Social Services, Employment Development Department (EDD), and library, spiritual centers and resource call centers (dial 211 is available in most California Counties).

Surviving the Emotional and Mental Traps Every person who exits from jail or prison must confront a series of basic survival needs with ongoing change. In order to meet these needs, a realistic plan is essential! In writing the PRO-Plan you need to be thinking ahead and develop you plans in short term and long term layout. It is also a good idea to incorporate a “first week” action plan, which can help you to navigate your way through the emotions you may be confronted with upon your release. You should project into your Pro-Plan a positive attitude by planning for the future but living in the present. It is important to recognize the most common mental and emotional traps everyone has to face with being paroled:

1 Post release shock and disorientation 2 Lack of ability to follow through 3 Suppressed rage and hostility 4 Mistrust and withdrawal from others 5 Deep anxiety and depression 6 False expectations: self and the world 7 Fear of failure 8 Culture shock: cannot adjust to change 9 Personal and cultural inferiority complex 10 Compulsive neurotic (obsessive) behavior: no life balance 11 Poor self-esteem 12 Addictive tendencies (many forms) 13 Self-destructive attitudes and actions 14 Emotional instability 15 Fragile, vulnerable grip on life

Tools for the Social Connection 123

STANDARD BUSINESS LETTER FORMATTING

When communicating with business, State/federal agencies, or other entities, writing letters requires following basic letter writing rules. Above all, when writing a letter, to seek assistance in parole and rehabilitation support, try to keep the letter on point. By keeping on point, you keep the reader focused and engaged with the matter being reviewed for consideration. Use the following letter format below as a guide to formatting/writing your own letter.

January 15, 2014 John Hardrock J & D Construction 1234 Bridges Lane Freedomville, CA 91234 RE: EMPLOYMENT INQUIRY (or state reason for requesting inquiry) Dear ….. (Sir, Madam, or Contact Person) My name is ….. I am writing to you in the hopes of receiving a reply from you. I am a term-to-life-prisoner in the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. I am looking for assistance in obtaining (state your need: employment, housing, etc.) upon my release. In preparation to writing my parole plans, I am requesting that the ….. provide me with a letter of support stating that …... will be available to help/assist me in preparing for my release. If you or your organization is able to assist me, I would appreciate the ….. I look forward to the opportunity to interview with you, and show you I can be a valuable asset to your company/service. Please send your reply in the SASE I have provided for you. Thank you in advance for your understanding. Sincerely, Derek P. Freedom [Sign your name] Derek P. Freedom AS-1234 [CDCR #] [Name of Prison] [Address of Prison] [County/Zip Code]

Bridges to Freedom 124

Parole Re-Entry Operation Plan Job / Rehabilitation Contact Record

Parole Candidate:______________________________ CDCR #_________________

Name of Contact / Person letter is addressed to:

Name of Company / Program Services

Contact Person

Responding

Date of Contact:

Follow-up:

Tools for the Social Connection 125 [Put address of residence here] DisplayText cannot span more than one line!

John Black

Objective General Employment [Place Objective here]

Experience

PRO-TEMP Job Agency South Ridge, SC General Laborer ! Mason’s Helper (tied rebar, dug footings, poured concrete, brick laying) ! Plumber’s Helper (industrial copper brazing / general plumbing duties)

R & R Construction South Ridge, SC Construction Laborer ! Job Site Helper (ditch digging, railroad restoration/maintenance, framing

assistance, construction clean-up, tying rebar, foundation preparation, etc.)

Merchant’s Refrigeration South Ridge, SC Warehouse Laborer ! Warehouse Helper (lumper, labeling, shipping/receiving, dock worker,

order puller, inventory control, pallet yard organizer, light custodial work, electric/manual pallet jack [dry/frozen inventory] and forklift operator)

Additional Qualifying Qualities: ! Hard worker, team player, motivated learn new tasks quickly ! Loyal, get along with others, good communicator ! Punctual, safety conscious, drug free and always ready to work

hard/efficiently.

Work History 1993-Present 1993-1992 1992-1991 1991-1990 1989-1997 1989-1985

! California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation ! Executive Protector/Self Defense/Fitness Instructor ! Personal Security Specialist ! Manpower Temp. Agency/General Laborer and Restaurant Industry ! U.S. Marines (Discharged: 4/11/1997) ! U.S. Marines

Education ! High school Diploma, Vocational Trade Certification (AutoPaint/Detailing; Entry level Auto Body Repair/Refinishing. Paralegal/Legal Assistant Diploma, Associates Degree and currently pursuing Bachelor of Specialized Studies Degree (Ohio University)

Interests ! Bike riding, running, gardening, carpentry, computers, restoring Harley Davidson motorcycles.

References ! Gilbert Jacksi, Geri Vilva, Dr. Smith, etc. (Contact information available upon request).

Bridges to Freedom 126 Chapter 9: Tools for the Social Connection Questions for Review:

1) Why is important to include a itemized anticipated monthly budget plan in your PRO-Plan?

2) Who can you write to and ask for assistance in finding a job?

3) What is the benefit of keeping a “Records Bank?”

4) What might be some of the emotional and psychological traps you may encounter on parole?

5) What personal documents should you try to obtain prior to the suitability hearing being held?

6) Why would you want to work with someone who is more knowledgeable than you, in developing a relapse prevention plan?

Tools for the Social Connection 127

Life Skills Learned